Hartlepool United 'protecting budget' and challenging in the National League with Newcastle United, Salford City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers loan signings

Pools have brought in several players on loan so far this season as they look to mount a promotion challenge in the National League.

The latest player through the door at Victoria Park, Tom White, arrived on an initial one month deal from Blackburn Rovers. He joins Luke Armstrong, Lewis Cass and Henrich Ravas as the side’s current loan players.

Since arriving in December, Armstrong is already Hartlepool’s top scorer with six goals to his name. Meanwhile, Cass and Ravas have been dependable members of the squad when called upon.

Blackburn defender Tyler Magloire also proved to be a solid addition to the Hartlepool side before his loan expired in January.

And with Challinor operating with a reduced playing budget this campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic, the loan market has helped the Pools boss assemble a squad who currently sit comfortably in the National League play-off places.

The future of the 2020-21 season remains subject to a vote but chairman Raj Singh has continued to back his manager through the uncertainty.

“The loan signings in the main have been really good for us because they’ve helped me protect the budget,” Challinor told The Mail.

“Without being disrespectful to the players we’ve got in, the clubs that have got them out have needed them to be in a first team environment so it hasn’t cost us an awful lot.

"Sometimes circumstances dictate things and with the way things are there are players out of contract, good players, who need games and EFL clubs potentially can’t do stuff because of smaller budgets or salary caps, whatever it is.

"We’ve benefited from that and we’ve been able to have a good run as a result of the business we’ve done.

"For us, the most important thing was keeping our squad together and adding to it where we can. We’ve done that and hopefully it gives us a good chance to have a real good go for the rest of the season.”

Hartlepool are back in action on Tuesday night as they prepare to host Solihull Moors at Victoria Park with an earlier kick-off time of 6pm.

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